Senior Leadership
KERA WOOTEN
Executive Director
Kera Wooten has over 20 years of experience in serving seniors. She grew her career working for Erickson Living, at both of its Virginia properties. At the end of her tenure at Erickson, she was managing four dining venues and over 150 employees, with direct oversight of a $12 million budget. Prior to that, she was employed by Marriott International-Senior Living Services in Delaware and Virginia. Wooten joins us from Sunrise Senior Living in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where she was the associate executive director. She managed the independent living operational departments and various community committees. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Delaware State University and is a graduate of Erickson Culinary College, holding a National Food Managers Certification. She has also received Train the Trainer, Foundations of Leadership, Tactical Leadership and Alzheimer’s certifications. Wooten served as the chair of family and consumer services for Fairfax County Public Schools and as a board member for the Ronald McDonald House of Northern Virginia. She enjoys Muay Thai, reading, hiking, and spending time with her daughter, Regan.
CRAIG TURNER
Independent Living Administrator
Craig brings with him over 23 years of experience in senior living communities. He has a Bachelor’s degree in business management and a Master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in hospitality and tourism. Craig has been providing senior level leadership in community settings for over 18 years and has a passion for building strong teams and creating a great atmosphere for residents and team members alike. Craig most recently was the Director of Dining Services with Brightview Senior Living where his role, although formally in dining, has intersected with all departments across the scope of senior living. Craig is passionate about collaboration across departments to provide excellent customer service and a wrap-around service approach. He thinks that an interdisciplinary approach provides different perspectives that collectively create greatness for all involved. Craig has been married to his wife, Tara, for 18 years, and together they have two sons, Aidan (12) and Ryan (6) who keep them on their toes. Craig loves to spend his free time with his family and is an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Capitals. Craig also loves running and playing street hockey.
DAVID LANE
Director of Property Management
David Lane has worked in the DMV area for the past 25 years, including for government and private sector employers. His most recent one, prior to joining Westminster at Lake Ridge, was Boeing, in which he supported many diverse contracts over the past 15 years.
Throughout the years, Lane has enjoyed the opportunity to meet great people, learn from their experiences and meld them into his own experiences. He has had the opportunity to engage with many mentors over the years, in advanced areas of business and facilities management. Lane enjoys family time, helping people, fishing and hanging out with friends. With the support and direction from the residents and staff at Westminster at Lake Ridge, he hopes to help make a difference within the community.
Throughout the years, Lane has enjoyed the opportunity to meet great people, learn from their experiences and meld them into his own experiences. He has had the opportunity to engage with many mentors over the years, in advanced areas of business and facilities management. Lane enjoys family time, helping people, fishing and hanging out with friends. With the support and direction from the residents and staff at Westminster at Lake Ridge, he hopes to help make a difference within the community.
DAN ARNOLD, CASP
Director of IT
Dan Arnold is the director of information technology and is responsible for all the computers and servers for the staff at Westminster at Lake Ridge, as well as any technical decisions that need to be made. He likes the environment at Westminster, and the staff and residents make Westminster a pleasurable place to work. When he is not working, you can find him playing sports; a few of his favorites include golf, softball and tennis.
DAVID McLLVAINE
Chaplain
David comes to us from Bon Secours Mercy Health where he worked at St. Mary’s Hospital as an in-patient chaplain and working for Noah’s Children. The role of Chaplain is a second career for David. He has an undergraduate degree in Horticulture from Texas Tech University and spent 30 years in landscape and irrigation owning his own company until he felt the call of God to return to his passion. Between 2013 and 2015, he traveled between New Orleans and Atlanta to obtain his Master of Divinity. He graduated in 2015 and completed his residency at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
David has a passion for his work as a chaplain and enjoys building relationships with patients and their families. David says, “I do not consider my role as a job because I love the work I do. I am more than a Chaplain; I am someone who is willing to connect families with the appropriate supports and be there as a listening ear or shoulder to cry on in times of need.”
David is married to Melissa and they have 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren, 4 girls and 1 boy. In his spare time, they like to travel and see the many historical sites in Virginia. He likes that they are 2 hours from the beech (for Melissa) and 2 hours from the mountains (for him). He also enjoys working in his garden and doing projects in the yard.
MICHELLE FERRY
Director of Sales
Michelle graduated from Binghamton University in Upstate New York where she studied Political Science. She then went on to obtain her JD from the University of Virginia School of Law in Charlottesville. Prior to joining the team, she owned her own construction business where she applied her legal and administrative skills supporting all departments. She is also certified as a Professional in Human Resources and has worked in that capacity for several years. As a Sales Director, Michelle's job is to guide new residents through the process of joining the community. In her free time, you can find Michelle enjoying herself with family and friends. Michelle's favorite thing about working at Westminster is the staff's involvement with residents, working together to provide the best possible experience for everyone who enters Westminster's doors.
JASON TIMMONS, MSHRM, CSM
Director of Human Resources
Jason Timmons, a native Floridian, has more than 20 years of experience managing people and processes. He holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Management and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Troy University. His career began back in May of 2000 when he decided to enlist in the United States military as an Information Systems Analyst. Since then, he has served in a variety of operations and human resources manager positions around the globe. In his most recent leadership role as Senior Human Resources Director, he managed strategic planning, communications, and operations for 12 human resources offices servicing more than 700 employees. As a natural process improver, his
everyday objective is to improve processes, continuity, learning, and growth. In his spare time, Jason enjoys weight-lighting, cycling, fishing, motorcycle riding, and spending time with his family and friends.
DR. SHIRLEY QUARLES
Director of Nursing
Dr. Shirley Quarles is a nurse leader with over 20+ years in top nursing roles, striving to innovate changes in healthcare policies and systems to enhance evidenced-based practice outcomes. Dr. Quarles received a Doctoral Degree in Nursing from Chatham University, a master’s in nursing science with focus in advanced psychiatric mental health, in the clinical nurse specialist program at Catholic University of America, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Howard University, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Bowie State University. Dr. Quarles has received numerous awards and honors including being inducted in the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society 2002, a nurse honoree by the District of Columbia American Nurses Association for the 100 extraordinary nurses; and featured in the Nurse Spectrum Magazine in 2009 for a service award for the dedication and efforts to place the District of Columbia in the top 100 percentile in comparison of the 50 states for the development of the PASRR Level I Screening Tool. She continues to advocate for improved patient access/healthcare and nursing practice privileges by participating in the local chapters of nursing associations to address healthcare reform. In her spare time, Dr. Quarles enjoys hobbies such as fishing, traveling, and bowling.
MICHELLE THURSTON
Executive Assistant
Michelle Thurston has been in the Reston area for 17 years, moving here from the great state of Arkansas. Her extensive background in health care, education and administration assists in her current duties as executive assistant to the executive director, and she is excited to be part of the Westminster at Lake Ridge family. To Thurston, working at Westminster at Lake Ridge feels like coming home — everyone is helpful, patient, smiling and very welcoming.
Sales and Marketing
MICHELLE FERRY
Director of Sales
Michelle graduated from Binghamton University in upstate New York, where she studied political science. She then went on to obtain her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Prior to joining the team, Michelle owned her own construction business, where she applied her legal and administrative skills supporting all departments. She has also earned the Professional in Human Resources certification and has worked in that capacity for several years. As a Sales Director, Michelle’s job is to guide new residents through the process of joining the community. In her free time, you can find her enjoying herself with family and friends. Michelle’s favorite thing about working at Westminster at Lake Ridge is the staff’s involvement with residents. She loves collaborating with others to provide the best possible experience for everyone who enters the community’s doors.
CAILIN KHAN
Sales Counselor
Cailin is a Lake Ridge native and has worked for Westminster at Lake Ridge for over eight years. She began her career at the community as a receptionist at the front desk. Before transitioning to her role as sales counselor, she was the marketing and sales coordinator, and prior to that worked in the resident services department as the training and data supervisor. Cailin lives in Lake Ridge with her husband and cat. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, scuba diving and watching hockey.
DEBBIE KROGH
Sales and Marketing Coordinator
Debbie has lived in Prince William County for most of her life and has Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia as well as a Master of Science in computer science from Virginia Tech. Before choosing to stay home with her two daughters, Debbie was a systems/software engineer working as part of a team developing a submarine sonar training system. For the past ten years, Debbie has been the Technology Manager for an organization, providing technical, administrative, communications and marketing assistance to small businesses. Debbie is particularly interested in writing and data analytics. Her daughters are currently in college, one at North Carolina State University and one at Virginia Tech, with both studying engineering. She loves most sports, but especially college basketball and tennis. Working at Westminster of Lake Ridge appeals to her because of the welcoming atmosphere.
KIERSTEN PARSONS, MS, RDN, CDP
Director of Healthcare Sales for Ingleside
Kiersten Parsons has worked in senior living for the past 11 years –four years of which have been with Ingleside. Most recently, Kiersten served as the Independent Living Administrator for Ingleside at Rock Creek.
Kiersten started her career in Long Term Care nursing, then pursued further education in human nutrition, working as a clinical dietitian for seniors in all levels of care. Kiersten is committed to excellence in senior living services and is passionate about educating and equipping older adults to lead healthy, wellness-filled lives.
As a clinician and healthcare services professional, Kiersten brings her joy for engaged living and her skillset in healthcare services to the Ingleside Sales team, where she focuses on supporting the growth of the Assisted Living and Memory Support Assisted Living neighborhoods at each community.